Macro Algae & Corals 25 Gallon Peninsula

[LiverockRocks Verified Sponsor]

Check out Bio Spheres or Bio Gems to use in the media basket. The plastic ones that come with the tank are for fresh water setups.

You could also use Rubble Rock in media baskets.

 

[OldRed1]

Thanks again for the recommendations on what to put in the media basket. I bought some of the bio gems that @officialreefbros pointed out.

Huge shoutout to our local fish store, Benson’s Fish Store, in Balston’s Spa. Every time I’ve needed something last minute, these folks have come through haha.

Though not strictly tank related, while I was out I bought some storage cubes from Target, along with a small organizing tray to position under my wire wrack. The cubes hold all my “dry” aquarium supplies, including extra filter floss, tubing, etc. One of the promises I made to my partner was that I would keep this hobby neat and tidy. I’m doing my best!

 

[OldRed1]

Shoutout to the people at @LiverockRocks for their outstanding customer service. I was supposed to receive the live sand and rock on Thursday, but a late-night surprise by the TSA changed our plans. Without missing a beat, TBS emailed me with a new delivery plan and made sure that my shipment was in the air this morning.

So, today was the big day! I got an email from TBS with all the tracking details about my shipment. Seriously, they could not have made this process easier at any stage. The live sand and rock arrived at the Albany cargo pickup area without delay. The way the boxes fit in the back of my Impreza was oddly satisfying.

I was eager to see how TBS packages the live goods and they did an outstanding job. The sand and rock were each secure in multiple layers of thick plastic packaging secured with sturdy rubber bands.

There were two things I was most concerned about with live rock and sand: Would I be able to scape the random assortment of rocks picked out for me and, perhaps more importantly, what kind of hitchhikers would find their way into my tank.

The Nano sized vase rocks provided by TBS are very scape-able. I’m still waiting for the tank to clear up, but I am all ready in love with how this scape is coming together. In a few weeks, this will get a re-design once I take delivery of the premium live rock

As far as hitchhikers, since this is the base live rock package, there isn’t much to talk about. There were a few brittle stars, which likely won’t last too long. Still, they were cool to see.

We also found a cute little crab of some sort that was wandering around with a shell on its head. Not sure how to post the video of the crab,
And we found a few snails, too!

There is one potential worrisome hitchhiker, and I’m hopeful someone here can chime in. When I was pouring the sand in, I noticed a very fast moving white worm(s) darting around the tank. I am guessing they are some sort of detritus worm, but can someone ID for certain?

 

[OldRed1]

Forgot to mention, the rocks did come with some additional hitchhikers in the form of macro algae and, I think, some sort of sponge. The sponge appeared near-dead on arrival; it was mostly bleached by the time it went into the water.

 

[OldRed1]

Just finished my first real water change; 20% in total to get some clean water in the tank after adding all the sand and rock yesterday. Here’s how the tank currently looks:

Looking around the sand bed, I spotted a few inverts that survived the night. I saw the limbs of a brittle star stretching out from under a rock, a few tiny snails crawling around, as well as a few feather dusters.

Most pleasing, I saw the little shell-crab scooting around. Anyone know what kind of crab this is? I’ve never seen a crab wear a shell like this.

 

[OldRed1]

How does one read these Sanifert test kits accurately?

 

[OldRed1]

@LiverockRocks How soon after cycling my tank with the base live rock can I add the premium live rock? I’d prefer to add the rock before adding fish, unless you think that’s a bad idea.

 

[LiverockRocks Verified Sponsor]

@LiverockRocks How soon after cycling my tank with the base live rock can I add the premium live rock? I’d prefer to add the rock before adding fish, unless you think that’s a bad idea.

Hiya, we suggest a week to 10 days just to let the system and lifeforms settle in.
Your tank looks great!
Hard to tell from photo, but the sponge maybe a coral and will color up.
Either way they both will prefer low light and good flow.

 

[OldRed1]

Invert alert! This Tampa Bay Salt Water live rock continues to surprise me. Check out this sweet bivalve!

I was looking over the rock when a quick motion caught my eye. I was able to catch it again on video!

 

[OldRed1]

Here’s a quick video of the three coral colonies that came on my base rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater. The corals were somewhat bleached on arrival, but they appear to be otherwise healthy. The feeding tentacles are always out and swaying in the current. Hope they stick around!

 

[OldRed1]

Last video of the night featuring some feather dusters, a colony of tunicates, a spaghetti worm, and a mysterious orange sponge possibly?

 

[OldRed1]

Also, does anyone know how to maintain high video fidelity when uploading from an iPhone to YouTube? These videos looks crystal clear on my phone but are so blurry once I post them to YouTube!

 

[officialreefbros]

The live rock is so neat! It's like a fun adventure with everything

 

[reef_1]

Question for other Reefers with AIO systems: Where do you place your temperature probes for an Inkbird temperature controller?

I use a heater with digital temp display and what I assume a digital controller built in.

There is no technical reason why the controller and sensors of a single integrated unit can't be on the same level as a separate controller, but then you have much less issues with sensor cables and overall less cables and equipment.

 

[OldRed1]

The live rock is so neat! It's like a fun adventure with everything

How do you all get your videos to upload to YouTube with such high quality? When I upload from my phone, it seems YouTube cuts the quality down significantly.

 

[OldRed1]

I use a heater with digital temp display and what I assume a digital controller built in.

There is no technical reason why the controller and sensors of a single integrated unit can't be on the same level as a separate controller, but then you have much less issues with sensor cables and overall less cables and equipment.

Got it, thanks for sharing!

 

[OldRed1]

Got a new power strip to install today! Should make controlling my pumps much easier during maintenance periods!

 

[OldRed1]

Well, that was easier than expected!

 

[officialreefbros]

How do you all get your videos to upload to YouTube with such high quality? When I upload from my phone, it seems YouTube cuts the quality down significantly.

I always upload from my PC. We still use our phones to film all of our clips and then I edit them and upload them from my computer. Sometimes the quality can take a bit to fully process on youtubes side. I've seen that a bunch when the first hour or so they are low quality.

Got a new power strip to install today! Should make controlling my pumps much easier during maintenance periods!

Nice! They make it a lot easier. I got the Kasa one and just do it from my phone!

 

[OldRed1]

Did a re-design today of my rock scape in preparation of the next set of rocks from Tampa Bay Saltwater. After moving things around, an old friend came out to visit! I was worried she had passed away, but it turns out she just molted!